A NORTH Wales bid to host a mini "Olympics" was stepped up yesterday as supporters tried to persuade sports minister Alun Pugh to plough cash into the event.

Anglesey hopes to stage the 2009 International Island Games and Mr Pugh was given a whirlwind tour of the facilities.

He was joined by Arthur Emyr, head of the National Assembly's sports division, and Phil Carling, chairman of the Sports Council for Wales.

The group saw "the good, the bad and the ugly" and were told of Anglesey's need for a six-lane swimming pool and a new sports hall to improve the bid.

High on the itinerary was the giant county showground at Mona, near Gwlachmai, which may be transformed into an athletes' village if the bid is successful.

Mr Pugh said he did not have an open cheque book.

"This is an opportunity for me to see exactly where we are in terms of preparation of physical facilities.

"Anglesey is showing a great deal of commitment and local MP Albert Owen is keen to see the project go ahead.

"Super elite sport is vital but ordinary people should be able to take part in international events and the island games are an important platform."

Last month, members of Anglesey's games steering group outlined their plans during talks with Mr Pugh in Cardiff.

Council head of leisure and community Aled Roberts said: "He was keen to see for himself some of the venues which will be instrumental in any bid, but which may need investment to bring them up to standard.

"His visit is critical because it allows him to make an assessment of the challenges we are facing."

The cost of staging the event and improving facilities could be as high as #9m.

Leisure and arts boss Coun Derlwyn Hughes said: "Having invested money in the creation of a new #500,000 events pavilion, we feel we could be in a strong position to lead the way as far as the games are concerned.

Bids have to be submitted by the end of the year.

Anglesey could face still competition from the Estonian island of Saaremaa, and Aland in Finland.

The games are staged every two years and Anglesey has taken part since their inception in 1985.

A decision about the 2009 event will be taken at next year's games in the Shetland Islands.